Mountain Horse Farm is a glamping destination situated on 33 wooded and pasture-covered acres in western New York’s Finger Lakes region.
A bed & breakfast, horse and farm animal sanctuary and wellness retreat, Mountain Horse Farm offers something for everyone. It’s a natural choice for those looking to reconnect with nature and themselves. It’s also an ideal home base for exploring this world-class wine and adventure-filled destination.
Mountain Horse Farm is easily accessible by plane or car. It’s only one hour and 45 minutes by car from both Buffalo Niagara and Syracuse International Airports. It’s only a six-hour drive from New York City and a four-hour drive from Toronto (Pro Tip: cruising through the farmland, forests and lake-dotted terrain makes your journey even more memorable).
ACCOMMODATIONS
While Mountain Horse Farm is a year round destination, their two gorgeous tipis are best from early May to early November.
Called the Apache and the Nakota, Mountain Horse Farm’s two tipis are modeled after those used by Sioux Indians. They were constructed by the artisans at Nomadics Tipi Makers in Oregon (Fun Fact: they’re the same company that made the tipis used in the movie “Dances with Wolves”). The exterior features beautiful hand-painted artwork. Inside, you’ll find plush beds (a king bed in one tipi and two queens beds in the other) and furnishings. You won’t find a TV or electricity, though. They were excluded to help guests quiet their minds and reconnect with nature.
If you prefer to sleep in the great indoors, however, there are six well-appointed rooms. Some even have private outdoor jacuzzis.
FOR WELLNESS SEEKERS & ANIMAL LOVERS
Mountain Horse Farm features unique spa, animal-centric wellness programs and multi-day retreats.
Begin with a hot stone, deep tissue massage, or opt for an acupressure massage. Afterwards, don’t forget to book some private time in the infrared dry sauna.
The Farm’s unique approach to wellness continues with their Horse & Cow Experience. This program allows guests to spend time with the resident horses, mini horses and cows. These 90-minute sessions are accompanied by their equine specialist and a licensed counselor. Focus your time on whatever you’re most in need of, like relaxation, mindfulness, or emotional healing. Each session begins and ends with time in the “gathering tipi” to breathe, set an intention for and reflect on your experience.
Alternatively, those looking to simply spend time with the animals can also book a “cow cuddling” session to pet, brush, snuggle or simply share space with these loving creatures.
If you’re seeking a deeper dive into wellness, check out their retreats and clinics. Upcoming events include the What’s Next? Designing Your Next Chapter Women’s Retreat and the Horse Speak Clinic, which teaches guests how to communicate with horses.
THE SURROUNDING AREA: NATURE, FOOD & WINE
There is no shortage of activities in the nearby area, no matter the time of year.
Winter allows for skiing at nearby resorts like Bristol Mountain Ski Resort, just a ten minute drive away. Spring, summer and fall are the best times to experience one of the region’s biggest draws: waterfalls. Don’t miss the stunning natural landscapes at places like Letchworth Sate Park and Watkins Glen State Park.
Or, take in another of the area’s main attractions: wine. The Finger Lakes area is the East Coast’s largest and most celebrated wine producing region. It is also home to three easy-to-follow wine trails. Two are within a five-minute drive from Mountain Horse Farm.
If you’re more of a beer drinker, then follow the Finger Lakes Beer Trail. Love cheese? Check out the Finger Lakes Cheese Trail, leading you to a number of picturesque, cheese-producing farms and creameries.
READY, SET, GO
Whether traveling solo, as a couple, or with friends or family, Mountain Horse Farm offers an escape as laid-back or activity-filled as you desire.
Grant Smith is a travel writer who provides readers and viewers with the information they need to get off the Internet and on the road saying, “I’m going to have an awesome time!” Wherever he goes, Grant travels with a budget-aware eye, but isn’t afraid to splurge on travel experiences that are truly worth it. When he’s not living out of a suitcase, Grant lives in Southern California.